DENTON, Texas - For the last 17 years, North Texas women’s tennis head coach Sujay Lama has helped raise funds in the United States for a variety of projects to better his poverty-stricken homeland. One of those efforts is Project Nepal which was created to educate orphaned and indigent children who lack access to affordable education.

Lama has been living in the United States for 25 years, but before he left Nepal his mother told him to make sure he gave back to his country. Beginning in 1991, Lama and his family sponsored five orphans and converted their home into a school. That initiative gradually grew into Project Nepal.

Over the 2013 holiday break, coach Lama returned to Nepal with his family and dedicated seven days for Project Nepal, working with the organization Action Works Nepal. Project Nepal’s outreach is in the far west region, sponsoring schools and children who lack proper clothing and means transportation to get to school.

He also spent two days teaching coaching clinics, giving back what he has learned and gained through the sport of tennis.

Since its start Project Nepal has raised nearly $35,000; accumulating five teachers, a driver and bus; and promoted academic programs, music, art and tennis.